• London Olympics 2012

Radcliffe hits 2012 qualifying mark in Berlin

ESPN staff
September 25, 2011
Paula Radcliffe finished third on her marathon comeback © Getty Images
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Paula Radcliffe achieved the qualifying time for London 2012 after marking her marathon comeback with a third-placed finish at the Berlin Marathon.

In her first race over 26.2 miles since the birth of her second child last September, Radcliffe finished third behind Florence Kiplagat and Germany's Irina Mikitenko, but crossed the line in a time of two hours, 23 minutes and 46 seconds.

Though some way off her world's best time of 2:15.25 set in 2003, Radcliffe's mark was well inside UK Athletics' qualifying standard of two hours 31 minutes.

In the men's race, Patrick Makau set a new world record to defend his title as four-time champion Haile Gebrselassie failed to finish. Makau set a time of 2:03.38 to shave 21 seconds off the previous record held by Gerbrselassie, who pulled out before the 40km mark with stomach problems.

Britain's Scott Overall reached the London 2012 qualifying time as he finished fifth on his marathon debut in a time of 2:10:55, while Ben Whitby and Andi Jones finished 11th and 21st respectively.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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